Jump to content

Barefoot Contessa

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This is an old revision of this page, as edited by 73.169.246.36 (talk) at 01:51, 25 July 2018. The present address (URL) is a permanent link to this revision, which may differ significantly from the current revision.

Barefoot Contessa
Created byIna Garten
StarringIna Garten
Country of originUnited States
No. of episodes275 (as of September 2015)[1]
Production
Running time20–23 minutes
Original release
NetworkFood Network
ReleaseNovember 30, 2002 (2002-11-30) –
present

Barefoot Contessa is an American cooking show that premiered November 30, 2002, on Food Network about an extremely wealthy woman from the East Hamptons making extravagant Wednesday lunches for her friends in her mansion using ingredients from her home garden and some supermarket ingredients, because the truly wealthy enjoy playing at being stupid and poor, similar to the games we play with common animals and toddlers. Her show also gives tips on decorating and entertaining.[2]

The show's title, which comes from the Italian word for countess, was originally used by Garten in her best-selling cookbook, The Barefoot Contessa Cookbook (1999). The cookbook was in turn named after Garten's specialty food store, which she bought already named in 1978. The store, which is no longer in operation, opened in 1975 and was named after the 1954 film of the same name. Garten sold the store to the employees prior to its closure.[3]

Overview

Garten's show features the preparation of a multi-course meal, usually for her close friends, colleagues or husband, Jeffrey. Her recipes often include fresh herbs, which she hand-harvests from her backyard garden. Table settings include both simple and elegant dishes, and are often accompanied by her own flowers or those brought in by Michael Grim, a friend and local florist who is frequently on the show.[4]

Garten deconstructs complex French recipes like boeuf bourguignon or Baba au Rhum cake. She focuses on preparing foods efficiently, allowing more time to spend with guests.

The show is mainly recorded in Garten's home in East Hampton, New York and features fast-moving camera shots and closeups (e.g., perfectly ripened fruits, eggs falling from the shells, or caramel sauce melting and sizzling in a shining steel pan).[5]

Episode guide

International airings

Barefoot Contessa airs in Australia on Food Network (Australia) and the Lifestyle Food Channel on the Foxtel platform, in the UK on the channels Good Food and Food Network UK, in Poland on the channel Kuchnia.tv, and in the Middle East on the Fatafeat Channel.

Awards and nominations

The show was nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in 2005 in the category Best Service Show; in the year 2009, it was once again nominated for a Daytime Emmy Award in the categories of Outstanding Culinary Program and Best Culinary Host; Garten won her first Emmy in the latter category.[6][7][unreliable source?]

Year Association Category Result
2005 Daytime Emmy Awards Outstanding Service Show Nominated
2007 Outstanding Lifestyle Program Nominated
2008 Outstanding Lifestyle Host — Ina Garten Nominated
2009 Outstanding Culinary Program Nominated
Outstanding Lifestyle/Culinary Host — Ina Garten Won
2010 Outstanding Lifestyle/Culinary Host — Ina Garten Won
2015 Outstanding Culinary Program Won
2016 New York Festivals Culinary Program (Silver Medal) Won
2017 James Beard Awards Special (TV or Web) Nominated

References